John McCormack sings "I Hear You Calling Me"

Are video clips like this of him scarce? Due to his extreme popularity, I thought there'd be bunches of films.

Song by Harold Herford & Charles Marshall.

John McCormack sold millions of recordings of this tune.

YouTube contributor Solanus57 posted this excellent information:

"This was from the 1927 film: "Song O' My Heart". It was the second talkie, after "Jazz Singer". The film, which was restored in the early 1970's may still be available. My dad paid to have it restored and we used to sell the soundtrack on vinyl. VAI put it on VHS at the end of our license. There was a later movie with Henry Fonda where they had JM singing in various situos."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• irish
• JohnMcCormack
• tenor
• 1930s
• Ireland
• Music
• Ballad

[tenorismo]

Holding the little book with the words to the songs he was singing. There ar no artists like this anymore because there is no popularity for them ,and no money to be made from them. Wonderfull

[goblinonacloud]

This was McCormick's signature tune so yes, he always sang it. One of his most beautiful, that shows his range and breadth of breath. This particular song always makes me cry..

[35westst]

Today he would be mocked and booed. What the great unwashed public wants now is boom boom boom boom.

[Solanus57]

This was from the 1927 film: "Song O' My Heart". It was the second talkie, after "Jazz Singer". The film, which was restored in the early 1970's may still be available. My dad paid to have it restored and we used to sell the soundtrack on vinyl. VAI put it on VHS at the end of our license. There was a later movie with Henry Fonda where they had JM singing in various situos.

[MalikAziz86]

I hear you calling me

You called me when

The moon had veiled her light

Before I went from you

Into the night

I came

Do you remember

Back to you for one last kiss

Beneath the cold starlight

[sargeanton2]

This clip doesn't do him justice. He was way better in his prime. I have records he cut in 1916 that sound better than this...and he sang better. Fortunately the re-mastered cd's are excellent ...considering what they had to work with.

[dirtydayton4162]

it is very rare considering talking pictures were not that common when he was at his peak.

[unspeakable28]

Brian Lenihan RIP

[tenorschofield]

Oh God what a great tenor John Mc Cormack was; my heart hears the call of the Islands...do you also hear that call?..stay still for a second.. and.hear it again.

For sure you will!!!

[ciroalb3]

@smemr in the film, the accompanist has learned that John's sweetheart has died, but does not tell him until the concert is over. the song thus ties in, and we look at the accompanist imagining his thoughts. Cinematically, it was just considered monotonous to keep the camera focused on the singer.

[dcconsi]

k mar sea meav

[besmonkil]

John Mc Cormack es un tenor que debería figurar en cualquier lista de "Los Mejores tenores" Su voz - para un lírico - no era pequeña; debe recordarse que cantaba ante grandes auditorios Y EN ESA EPOCA NO HABIA AMPLIFICACIÓN ELECTRICA.

Fue amigo de Enrico Caruso, y en una temporada - no recuerdo el año exacto - vendió MAS discos que Caruso.

Ojalá alguien pudiera subir " O Sleep why dost thou ..." de Semele y me gustaría leer la opiniones ! Besmonkil